Liverpool FC Forum

by **Paul C** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:52 am

FENERBAHCE and Real Betis are both tracking Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes.

Rafael Benitez will listen to offers for the Spaniard, who has failed to convince since arriving from Real Madrid in January 2005 and was subsequently left out of his country's squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

Reports in Spain yesterday suggested Betis are interested in the 30-year-old, with La Liga rivals Espanyol already known suitors of the striker.

Fenerbahce are another team willing to offer Morientes a route out of Anfield after the forward admitted to having suffered a "terrible" season in the Premiership.

The Turkish outfit are about to enter their centenary season and the club's board have made it a priority to capture a prestige, big-name signing to mark the occasion.

Fenerbahce made ambitious enquiries over the availability of Roma talisman Francesco Totti and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, and are said to have asked to be kept informed on Sol Campbell's situation at Highbury.

But Morientes would appear a more attainable target, with the Spaniard available at a fraction of the cost of other high-profile players.

With Gabriel Paletta, Mark Gonzalez and Fabio Aurelio all due to arrive at Anfield during the summer, there will be a number of departures as Benitez aims to reshape his squad for a championship challenge next season.

Djimi Traore has been informed he is surplus to requirements, with Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce contemplating a bid for the defender.

Another Frenchman, Djibril Cisse, can also leave, and the striker is reportedly one of several players on the wanted list of new Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder.

West Bromwich Albion are hopeful of extending their loan deal for out-of-favour Chris Kirkland, despite the player's agent claiming Premiership interest in the goalkeeper.

Kirkland spent the last season on loan at The Hawthorns, only for injury to blight his time in the Midlands with West Brom ending the season relegated.

But Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace said: "Chris had a good time here and I know the coaching staff, especially Joe Corrigan, like him and like working with him.

"Given the chance we'd like to have him back. But it's up to Liverpool and Chris, although we gather Chris wouldn't mind coming back.

"The reality we have to accept is that we're a Championship club and he's used to the Premiership. Whether that has an influence, who knows?

"But if we can come to some form of arrangement with Liverpool along the lines of last season's then I'm sure we'd do that.

"It would involve a wage share deal in a loan deal because obviously he's contracted to Liverpool."

by **-Rafa-** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:41 am

Thank god

by **GOAT** » Mon May 22, 2006 2:17 pm

Great news, nice to see benitez is shifting out all the deadwood ASAP so he can get on with building a title winning squad

by **Redman in wales** » Tue May 23, 2006 8:57 am

From BBC gossip pages today:

Liverpool are ready to swallow a £5m loss to let striker Fernando Morientes join Real Betis for £2m. (Mirror)

by **account deleted by request** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:13 am

He is worth more than £2million, I wouldnt let him go for less than £4million (he could still do a job for Liverpool if we cant get a decent price) Might be a problem with his wages ?

by **Ciggy** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:19 am

Joaquin has resurfaced again in a swap deal plus cash, also Valencia are showing interest in Morientes.

by **The Ace1983** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:32 am

I like the idea of Joaquin for Nando and a bit of cash. Very nice.

by **Alonso14** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:38 am

Thier might just be a chance for Joaquin, considering that they had a poor season, and no longer can offer him European football.

His value must of also dropped because of this and Rafa could just sweeten the deal for them by offering Nado.

by **Ciggy** » Tue May 23, 2006 10:09 am

http://www.radioesport.es/noticia1600.html

Translate please our Sabre.

by **HacksawJimDuggin** » Tue May 23, 2006 11:08 am

Just put the same rumour in another thread.

I would agree that Nando may be used a makeweight for Joaquin. maybe that's why the quoted price (£2m) for Nando is so low!! Valencia are also looking at him. Bidding war in Spain about to kick off perhaps?? As long as Rafa gets his pick of the team he decides to sell Nando too (i.e. Joaquin, Melli, Alves) then I would be happy to off load Nando!

by **Archetype** » Tue May 23, 2006 1:14 pm

His agent says that Nando isnt going anywhere, an that the rumours are not true at all. Just made up by the press.

by **andy_g** » Tue May 23, 2006 1:17 pm

turkey would seem an appropriate destination though... :eyebrow

by **Redman in wales** » Tue May 23, 2006 1:52 pm

From BBC

Morientes staying put, says agent

Morientes scored only five Premiership goals in the 2005-06 campaign
Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes will not be returning to Spain this summer, according to his agent.
Gines Carvajal dismissed reports linking Morientes with a move to Real Betis or Valencia, saying: "These are only rumours made up by the press.

"There is nothing real - the only thing certain is Morientes has two years left on his contract with Liverpool."

Morientes, 30, who did not make Spain's World Cup squad, moved to Liverpool from Real Madrid for £6.3m in 2005.

He has scored 12 goals in 52 games for the Reds but managed only five in the Premiership during the 2005-2006 campaign.

by **A.B.** » Tue May 23, 2006 8:44 pm

His agent can say all he wants, it's not he who makes the final decision. If we sell him for 2 million than that would be a 5 million loss but I rather sell him now then let him walk on a bosman two years from now.

by **A.B.** » Tue May 23, 2006 8:55 pm

Betis out of the race:

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liv....ge.html

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